Free Tour Of Perumal Temple
The Government of Tamil Nadu has introduced a complimentary pilgrimage tour program to various Perumal (Lord Vishnu) temples throughout the state, particularly designed to assist senior citizens in achieving their spiritual goals. This initiative is carried out by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department in collaboration with the Tourism Department. The program is set to take place during the Tamil month of Purattasi, which is regarded as extremely sacred for Lord Vishnu’s devotees. Saturdays in Purattasi are especially significant spiritually, and visiting Perumal temples during this period is thought to bestow blessings and prosperity.
As part of this program, free travel arrangements are provided for elderly citizens aged between 60 and 70 years, who are in good health and do not have any chronic illnesses. Each zone in Tamil Nadu is assigned a specific group of temples and dates, and beneficiaries are chosen through a thorough application and verification process. Preference is typically given to individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have not previously participated in such tours. Applicants must provide proof of age, identity, address, and a fitness certificate along with their application to the relevant HR&CE zonal office.
The tour encompasses well-known and historic Perumal temples across various districts. For example, the Chennai zone includes visits to temples such as the Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane, the Ashtalakshmi Temple in Besant Nagar, and the Sthalasayana Perumal Temple in Mahabalipuram. The Trichy zone features the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, the Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple in Thiruvellarai, and the Appakudathan Temple in Koviladi. Other zones include temples in Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Villupuram, Madurai, and Tirunelveli, with transportation arranged from central locations in each city.
Each pilgrim receives round-trip bus transportation, vegetarian meals, water, and support throughout the journey. Volunteers and temple staff join the tour groups to help the elderly with boarding, darshan arrangements, and overall coordination. Typically, the entire trip is completed in one day or less, depending on the location and distance of the temples being visited.
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This complimentary spiritual tour is part of the Tamil Nadu Government’s broader initiatives to promote religious inclusivity and assist senior citizens in maintaining their connection to faith and culture. The government has set aside a special budget for these tours, ensuring quality arrangements without imposing any financial burden on the participants. Similar initiatives were previously organized for visits to Amman temples during the Tamil month of Aadi, which garnered positive public feedback.
The program not only fosters religious tourism but also highlights the cultural and architectural heritage of Tamil Nadu’s ancient temples. It enhances the spiritual well-being of the elderly and provides them with a dignified and memorable pilgrimage experience.
With the increasing success of such programs, there are plans to expand the initiative in the coming years to include more temples and increase the number of beneficiaries, ensuring that no elderly devotee is overlooked in their spiritual journey.
